[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 130 (Saturday, August 5, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S11498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  ENDLESS DISCUSSION AND NO RESOLUTION

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, ironically, I use this time to rise to 
suggest that it has been a little disappointing as to how we use our 
time, as a matter of fact, and I have been somewhat surprised at the 
lack of direction that we have had and that we continue to have in this 
body in terms of moving forward.
  It seems to me that clearly was the message we heard in 1994, the 
message that we always hear as trustees of the people for whom we are 
here to do some things. And I am disappointed to see what I consider a 
change of attitude and a change of direction, where rather than to move 
aggressively forward to solve some issues and questions, we seem 
instead to be sliding our feet.
  The opposition party--it has become that, in fact, an opposition 
party--should have some ideas and some suggestions and some directions 
instead of simply saying, ``No, no, we are not going to do anything,'' 
and that is troublesome to me. I understand that. I understand that is 
the technique. I understand that is the system. But I do not think it 
is the right thing to do.
  It seems to me that we do clearly have issues we have to confront. 
They are here. We have to find solutions to them. The idea that we 
cannot seem to resolve them is very disappointing to me. It seems that 
each time we start with some sort of a problem we must address, why, we 
rise and say, ``I am for a balanced budget but,'' and never come to a 
resolution.
  Mr. KERREY. Will the Senator yield?
  Mr. THOMAS. Certainly.
  Mr. KERREY. I do not understand, Mr. President. This time was 
reserved to discuss an amendment of the distinguished Senator from 
Oklahoma to strike language in fact that is authorized in language on 
an appropriations bill. The Senator from Wyoming is coming to the floor 
talking about us not having the right direction. I quite agree. I think 
the amendment itself is an indication why this body takes far too long 
to reach decisions. And I do not understand, if we are to be discussing 
the addition of authorizing language to an appropriations bill, why the 
Senator from Oklahoma has yielded time to the Senator from Wyoming to 
talk on a matter that seems not to be related to the amendment that he 
is offering.
  Mr. NICKLES. Will the Senator from Wyoming yield?
  Mr. THOMAS. Certainly.
  Mr. NICKLES. I am happy to yield 5 minutes to my colleague from 
Wyoming. And just to respond to my friend from Nebraska, we have a 3-
hour time agreement. Originally, I requested an hour equally divided. 
So if the Senator from Wyoming wishes to make a 5-minute speech on some 
of his thoughts about the inability of the Senate to move, I think that 
is entirely appropriate and we will have plenty of time to engage in 
debate on both sides of this amendment.
  Mr. THOMAS. I thank the Senator. I will not take time.
  I guess this is sort of an illustration of the frustration that I 
have, that I am willing to share. We went on and on and talked an hour 
about something yesterday, and we all sat and listened, we all sat and 
waited, we all sat for the whole evening, and we never came to any 
solution.
  I have to tell you that is pretty darned frustrating in terms of time 
management and resource management and measuring results. I am not 
going to intrude in this. I think we should move forward, and I simply 
come to the floor to share some frustration. As a matter of fact, 
everyone with ``Yes, I am for regulatory reform,'' comes from that 
side, but we never get it done. We always have ``but, but we don't want 
to do it.''
  So the philosophy has become, ``Let's don't do it; let's stop it; 
let's not have authorization for DOD, let's not have authorization for 
foreign affairs. Let's just say no. Let's threaten to veto everything 
that comes up.''
  I do not think that is a positive way to move, and I simply asked for 
some time to say it, and now I will stop. But I feel strongly about it. 
I think that we as trustees of people have some responsibility to make 
some effort to move. You may not like the result. That is what the 
system is about. That is why we vote to decide, not to stall, not to 
filibuster, not to amend to death, not to talk an hour on every topic. 
I guess I used to be a little frustrated with the rules in the House. I 
have come to think that was not a bad idea--some limit on the endless 
discussion and no resolution.
  I appreciate the Senator's indulgence, and I simply share a little 
frustration in terms of us being a little more product oriented in 
terms of getting some things done in this place.
  Mr. President, I yield back the time.

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